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NAVY NEWS RNZN Navy Museum in Devonport. The recent re-presentation of the tray was witnessed by Vince McGlone, aged 95, who is a survivor of the battle and is believed to be the oldest surviving Navy veteran in New Zealand. Accepting the tray was the collections manager for the Navy Museum Claire Freeman, who says she already has plans for its permanent display: "Not only is it a beautiful piece, it is wonderful that it holds a history and tells a great story that people such as Vince lived through." The butterfly tray presented by Warrant Officer Marty Grogan, Royal Australian Navy, to the Royal New Zealand Navy Museum collections manager Claire Freeman, navy veteran Vince McGlone and Commander David Turner, RNZN RARE NAVAL ARTEFACT RETURNS An artefact presented to the crew of the New Zealand ship HMS Achilles by the grateful citizens of Uruguay in 1939 after a famous naval battle, has found its way back to the Royal New Zealand Navy. The exquisite wooden tray with an inlay under glass consisting of hundreds of South American butterflies, was originally presented to Lieutenant George Raymond Davis-Goff, torpedo officer onboard HMNZS Achilles following the Battle of the River Plate. Lieutenant Davis-Goff was awarded a Mention In Dispatches for his bravery that day, and the presentation of this tray by the local people was to acknowledge his actions. Over time the tray found its way to a Royal Australian Navy Museum, who have now facilitated its repatriation "home" to the NAVY TO PATROL NZ WATERS Royal New Zealand Navy patrol ships will continue protecting New Zealand's coastal waters 365 days of the year, the Navy has confirmed. Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Tony Parr, says New Zealanders will notice little difference as the Navy re-organises, as to how it delivers its patrol commitments during a period when it is focused on regenerating personnel numbers, after a period of higher than usual attrition. "The Fleet Activity Plan for the coming year means that at least two, but often three, of the four Inshore Patrol Vessels will be available at any given time to undertake operational tasks around New Zealand" he says. "Indeed, the priority for manning of ships is to the patrol force and the Navy will look to other ships to pick up more of the patrol tasks during these periods to ensure our waters are protected." Admiral Parr says that the Navy previously operated the fleet with an objective of having all ships that are not engaged in maintenance available for operations. But it has been recognised that this model is unsustainable after a period of high attrition. In the coming year there will be times when ships that are not in maintenance will be at reduced availability. "We've recognised that it is not only the ships that must rotate through maintenance, but also our people. Our people are important and so we've taken measures with them in mind, whilst maintaining our ability to carry out tasks required by the Government." 70 Professional Skipper July/August 2012 The Battle of the River Plate was the first naval battle in the Second World War and the only altercation to take place in South America. The intense battle that ensued resulted in the surrender of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee. This success for the allies was a major propaganda victory and enhanced the reputation of Winston Churchill in the eyes of the British Empire. NZDF IN WORLD'S LARGEST EXERCISE The NZ Defence Force will be participating in the world's largest international maritime exercise, Exercise Rim of the Pacific, RIMPAC 2012, conducted near Hawaii from June 29 to August 3. HMNZS Te Kaha, HMNZS Endeavour, the Operational Diving Team and the Mine Counter Measures Team, a Rifle Platoon from 1 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K Orion, and a number of headquarters staff will take part in the exercise. "This is the first time in 28 years that the NZ Defence Force has taken part in RIMPAC. It offers a key opportunity to work alongside a large number of Pacific nations building interoperability and relationships," says Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Dave Gawn. "Participation in exercises like RIMPAC also enables the Defence Force to prepare for a variety of contingencies to ensure that New Zealand can play its part effectively in working with RNZN Inshore Patrol Vessels Admiral Parr says the Defence Force's senior leadership have committed to lifting morale and slowing the number of people leaving all three Services. "The changes Navy have made to the Fleet Activity Plan will allow our personnel to benefit from some respite – to conduct personal and professional development, allowimg people to be at home with family longer, and for people to clear accumulated leave. This is an active approach to addressing issues our people have said are important. This is a period of people regeneration in order for the Navy to remain operationally effective in the long term. But our ships will continue to be at sea on duty, doing the jobs that matter to New Zealanders," says Admiral Parr.